Photo: Basketball Champions League

After less than four months in Israel, Thon Maker has officially parted ways with Hapoel Jerusalem after an underwhelming beginning to his professional career outside the NBA. As Maker prepares for another new chapter in his professional career, it is important to first understand what went wrong in his first European stint, before speculating on what may lie ahead for the former NBA lottery pick. 

After arriving in Europe following promising yet inconsistent NBA spells and foregoing Olympic consideration, Maker seemed primed for a decisive season with Hapoel. Drafted out of high school under the Giannis Antetokounmpo team-all-length model, Maker symbolised the two-way, versatile style that the Milwaukee Bucks had suddenly gone all-in on. Promising displays during his first two seasons, including standout performances in the postseason, were paired with uninspired showings that left coaches and supporters ultimately wanting more in his third year in Bucks colours.